Photos by Tilly Berendt.
Equilume, the world leader in the research and development of light therapy solutions for the global horse industry, announced two new partnerships with award-winning riders: Phillip Dutton of the United States and Sam Watson of Ireland. With these partnerships, both Phillip and Sam have installed the Equilume Stable Light System at their respective home stables and use the Equilume Cashel Light Masks on their horses while traveling to competitions throughout the year.
Headquartered in County Kildare, Ireland, Equilume designs and manufactures lighting solutions to harness the benefits of natural daylight for stabled horses and permit continued exposure to optimum lighting while horses travel or are at pasture. The Equilume Stable Light provides horses with biologically effective light that maximizes the health, performance and breeding efficiency for stabled horses. The Equilume Cashel Light Mask is an individual headpiece for horses that provides timed, low-level blue light to a single eye throughout the day to ensure optimum health, performance and coat condition when they are stabled, traveling or away at competition.
Three-time Olympic medallist, Phillip Dutton says he has seen remarkable improvements in his horses after learning about and implementing Equilume’s light therapy concept.
“I had read about the Equilume light concept and the theory of improving a horse’s trainability, attitude, and healing improvements, so I decided to try one of their Cashel Light Masks. The horse I selected was a very talented but somewhat difficult horse to train on a daily basis. I was told it would take about six weeks of use with the Cashel mask to see the full benefits on the horse,” Phillip said. “After just three weeks, I saw a remarkable improvement in the horse’s attitude and willingness to enjoy his work. The logic of more light for a stabled horse makes sense to me, and I was able to see the results. I am excited about what benefits this will have for all my horses – so we are in the process of installing the Equilume Stable Lights throughout our barn.”
Sam Watson, a member of the Irish eventing silver medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games in 2018, also commented on the benefits of keeping horses in the best quality conditions.
“Getting horses in great condition is often about keeping them in the best conditions. Health, muscle growth, mood, energy, rest and recovery are all areas that I personally feel are negatively impacted on dark and gloomy days. The Equilume team has the science to show that the same is true for horses and that the lighting solutions work to improve these factors,” he said. “We’ve got our broodmares and performance horses using the Equilume Stable Lights and Light Masks. We want the best for our horses and we don’t want to miss out on a performance edge. Lighting clearly has an important part to play. Plus, who doesn’t want their day brightened up?”
Equilume, a University College Dublin spin-out company supported through NovaUCD, is best known for the global success of their award-winning blue light mask that aids fertility in breeding stock. The company’s continued investment in research and development has led to an expanded product line, including the Equilume Stable Light and the Equilume Cashel Light Mask, targeted at the national and international Sport Horse market.
Equilume also works with Enterprise Ireland, the Irish State agency that partners with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate, and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland is thrilled to support Equilume as its technologies continue to help horses to remain happy and healthy.
“We are delighted that two such accomplished and respected riders are seeing the benefits of our products and that Equilume is playing a part in keeping their horses looking and feeling their best while performing at the highest levels,” said Dr Barbara Murphy, Founder of Equilume.
Equilume is a world leader in the research and development of light therapy solutions to assist the global equine industry in maximising reproductive efficiency and performance. The company was established as a result of pioneering research at UCD by Dr Barbara Murphy, in collaboration with Professor John Sheridan, a UCD optoelectronics engineer, who identified the optimum light level required to advance the breeding season in horses, giving rise to the successful launch of the innovative Equilume Light Mask. For more information on the Equilume Stable Light and the Equilume Cashel Light Mask, please visit www.equilume.com.
